Christmas on the Front Porch

I'm not sure if my little slab of concrete

would pass for a front porch,

but I decorate it anyway.

I found this rusty, crusty wagon

with a broken wheel at the flea market.

I added one of my favorite wooden boxes

a lantern, and some wrapped gifts. 

This is my Charlie Brown Christmas tree.

I haven't yet decided what needs to go 

on this side of the porch.

I keep looking for pillows for the bench.

So much for small town businesses.

This is the view in the day.

This is the view at night. 

I'm not satisfied that it is blog-worthy, but

 for 29 years it has been my humble abode and it is 

HOME.

Have a Great Weekend, 

Bonnie:)

The Whistle Stop Cafe

Mr. H says, "We're taking a day trip anywhere you want to go."

I chose Juliette, GA, 

a tiny little railroad town, 

home of the Whistle Stop Cafe

in the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes. 

Honestly, a mere stop in the road,

this is what we first saw when we first turned the corner.

Please don't tell anyone you saw this in GA.

Not everyone is "White Trash," as portrayed on 

The Jerry Springer Show.

There was not a parking spot to be found on the pig-path road 

leading to the Whistle Stop.

I snapped this picture as we crossed over the small bridge.

I have to say, a railroad town is close to my heart. 

Scouting for a location, Barbara Ling, production designer found Juliette in Monroe County, Georgia, a town that was nearly deserted. The building chosen to be the Whistle Stop Café was formerly an antiques and hardware store. It was redesigned as a cafe, with a horse-shoe shaped counter to allow for optimal camera angles.

Expecting a long wait, Mr. H. takes a seat on the bench in front of The Whistle Stop.

The food was down-home country cooking.

The tea was sweet,

and the fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever put in my mouth.

I had country fried steak, collard greens with pepper vinegar, and garlic mashed potatoes.

Mr. H had a hamburger.  The best he said he had ever put in his mouth.

After the release of the film, Juliette saw an influx of tourists and, with John Avnet's encouragement, locals opened The Whistle Stop Café, recreated to mirror the film set. "Whistle Stop Café" is now a registered trademark.

Gift and Antique Shops line the street.

As my mama would say, the town is only a "stone's throw,"

from one end to the other. 

There is certainly no need for a traffic light.

Juliette was a bustling railroad community during the early 1900s. Over time, the railroad industry declined, and Juliette was nearly forgotten until 1991 when movie producers for the film "Fried Green Tomatoes" discovered Juliette and reconstructed the existing buildings into the fictional community of Whistle Stop.

The out-house or privy stands right smack in the middle of town.

My granddaddy's was a two-seater, 

but not nearly as pretty.

A little old man, sat in front of the Opera House

and played some bluegrass music.

The door is what I was most attracted to.

There was lots of rusty, crusty,

and chippy, shabby.

I half-way expected to see a rooster cross the road.

I took pictures of all the building structures,

some probably originals and some not.

The antique shops were typical

shabby chic, a little old and new,

and some new made from old.

The Whistle Stop Cafe is 

one of the most well-kept secrets

in Central Georgia

and just a hop, skip and a jump 

from home. 

And I didn't have to rob the bank to get there. 

Gas $25

Meal $35

A road trip with Mr. H

PRICELESS!

Bonnie:)

However, there was a bank robbery

this morning before we left town, 

only a block away from our house. 

A Mid-Life Moment???

This time last week I was in Nashville. 

Tonight I'm somewhat melancholy for many reasons, 

some of which I can not express. 

I've never believed much in 

what people call "A mid-life crisis."

I mean, who really knows when mid-life is?

However, I'm beginning to understand more 

what that means, at least for me. 

All that once felt new, 

is beginning to feel old. 

That's okay when we're talking about old scales, old tins, 

old crates and old boxes.

I love the old, repurposed, cleaned, dusted, 

painted and usable again.

We work so hard to make the old look new, 

but why the new look old?

We do that, don't we?

I know, I do.

Sometimes, I honestly can't tell which is which.

Is this really old or new?

On the closest observation, I can't see what is the real thing

and what is not. 

Do you find it easy to see what is truly hidden

behind the gloss and shine?

Now days, I look closer at other women.

How old is she?

I know I'm rambling.

Just feeling like I need a do-over.

I look around and see women who are older than I. 

Through my eyes they look flawless, without lines, 

tucked, trimmed and toned. 

And, I feel weather-worn, sun-aged, and saggy.

So many products out three to add flavor. 

We can choose

hot or mild

sweet or sour.

Some women are called HOT!

Some of are sweet!

Some of us are neither.

At least that's how I feel today.

Sometimes I feel like I've been grounded, pounded, 

and poured-

into a mold that others want for me, 

or into a pair of pants that no longer fit

-or both.

Am I having a mid-life moment?

Granny would say, grab that apron over 

there and let's get to work.

I honestly believe that age is an attitude.

I feel 35, in my head, that is. 

Why do I look 64 and in my body feel 74???

while I am almost 54???

I need to grab an apron and get to work,

lose 50 pounds, of which 20 of that 

I carry on my shoulders.

Need to lose some of this weight-

emotional and physical.

The above photos were taken 

at Marche Artisan Foods

where we had Saturday brunch.

I had a veggie quiche

and yummy french toast. 

Yes, both!

It's been a tough week!

Maybe I'll feel and look younger in the morning.

Have a good weekend,

Bonnie

A Fun Day, A Fun Place

And now, as Paul Harvey would say, 

"This is the rest of the story."

On Saturday we celebrated 

with a shopping trip to the Opry Mills Outlet Mall

to buy outfits for the girls.

Of course, our purchases were from the $3.99 rack.

This little fellow had a blast!

He went from one activity to another.

He guarded his territory, for sure. 

It was like an inside playground.

Our Connor-man was a mess.

As long as he was eating or playing he was happy.

Okay, I'm not a Titan fan, but this place was fun!

I was crazy about the rusty/crusty walls,

and the vintage decor.

It was a fun place.

And the BBQ was yummy!

Cora was an angel baby.

Christy is getting plenty of experience. 

The photos are not clear. 

The lighting was terrible and I couldn't fix it,

but did I tell you it was a fun place. 

Having Fun!

Bonnie:)

How Do Take this Rusty, Crusty Pitcher and Make it Elegant?

I'm just a junkie.
There's just no other word for it.

I love the rusty, crusty
but I declare I have no idea how to make it elegant.
In my home it looks like JUNK.

And still I want to take this barn door and make it work.
I really do.
I could make it work in the right house.
I just need a farmhouse.

Why did it take me 50 years to appreciate
the character of the old.

The watering can, I think I can work with.
I'm going back and get it this weekend if it's still there.